Before delving into the plethora of functional groups and reactions that define organic chemistry, it is important to have a good grasp of the basics.
For starters, a solid understanding of some basic bonding concepts is fundamental:
Find out more about electronic configuration and orbital shapes by viewing the following videos:
A very good explanation on orbitals and covalent bonding can be found in the following link.
(Some more advanced concepts are in the second half of the page too. These will be relevant for later, but no harm reading them if you wish!) Basic Bonding Concepts in Organic Chemistry
The following video is also helpful for visualisation.
Preparation objectives and practice exercises are available here.
A somewhat basic video on drawing line-bond structures can be found here: **Drawing line-bond structures**
(Note that you are not required to draw the dots on the lines like he does in the video. A simple line is the standard notation used.)
Lesson 2 (on 8th of April 2010)
Feel like you've mastered all you can from Lesson 2 Preparation objectives?
Try looking for more information on the following topics:
VSEPR Theory
Molecular Shapes and Bond Angles
For those still struggling with visualising molecular shapes, a very good website allows you to manipulate shapes in 3-D, starting from the basic shape. Check it out! Molecular Geometry
Preview - for 15th April 2010
An insight into what's coming for Lesson 3 Preparation:
Sigma and pi-bonding
Dative bonding
Single, double and triple bonds
Electronegativity and bond polarity
Molecular polarity
You can suggest interesting links or articles on the Discussion page!
Preparation for Lesson 3 Many of the key reactions in organic chemistry take place because of a region of polarity in an organic molecule. It is therefore important to be able to recognise the presence of polar bonds in a molecule, and whether or not a molecule has an overall polarity. Some good explanations on how to do that is available here: Molecular polarity and Polar Bonds and Molecular Polarity
In preparation for some more advanced topics to be covered in Lesson 3, it would be good to re-read the following page, especially focusing on the bottom part of the page, from the section on Bonding in Carbon onwards. Basic Bonding Concepts in Organic Chemistry
Completely mastered the above content? Seen it all before and want to zzZZ!?
You may wish to keep going with the next lesson on naming and drawing basic organic molecules: Hydrocarbon Nomenclature and Representation
If you have a copy of the textbook, you can read chapter 2, focussing especially on pages 38 to 58. Do also try the corresponding problems in the textbook.
For Lesson 6, revise everything you have learned so far. Read through the relevant sections of chapter 1 of the textbook (on Atomic Structure, Electronic Configuration, Covalent Bonding, Hybridization, Polarity and Electronegativity), and chapter 2 (Alkanes - Nomenclature, Cis-Trans Isomerism, Cycloalkanes, Newman Projections).
Lesson 7 was a catch-up lesson for those who missed out on Lesson 6.
An in-class assignment was given out, to be handed up before the end of the term (for those who did not manage to complete it in class). The assignment is available here:
You are reminded that this assignment should be presented neatly, and not as scribbles in the corner of the question paper! (;
Preparation for Lesson 8 (15th of July)
The quizzes will resume in the next lesson. The quiz for Lesson 8 will be on what you have learnt from your self-reading of the chapter 6 sections assigned to you in your Holiday assignment (i.e. 6.1; 6.2; 6.3; and 6.5). You should try out the problems in those sections to be make sure you understand the content!
Another useful link can be found at the following page: Stereochemistry
Preparation for Lesson 9 (29th of July)
Lesson 9 will cover content from Chapter 5 and Chapter 3 in your textbook.
Specific reading task:
Chap 5: section 5, 5.1 and 5.2 (pp 155 - 159)
Chap 3: section 3.6 only (pp 91 - 95)
Chap 5: section 5.3 (pp 159 - 162)
Questions you should be able to answer after reading:
What is the structure of a benzene ring? What is the hybridisation of the carbons in a benzene ring?
What do the prefixes ortho, meta, and para mean?
How do reactions occur? What is meant by the term reaction mechanism?
What is a substitution reaction?
The quiz and exercises for Lesson 9 have been posted on the Problem Answers page!
Preparation for Lesson 10 (5th of August)
Please read the relevant portions of Chapter 3 and attempt the in-text worked examples before the lesson!
In Lesson 10, we will be looking at Chapter 3 of the Textbook. (Compulsory)
Cis and Trans isomerism in alkenes (section 3.3)
Naming isomers of alkenes under the E/Z designation (section 3.4)
Electrophilic addition reactions to alkenes (sections 3.7 and 3.8)
(Optional)
You can also read the other sections for further understanding on the reactions of alkenes and organic reaction mechanisms in general:
section 3.2 (Structure of alkenes - what makes them 'special')
section 3.5 (about the kinds of reaction mechanisms seen in organic chemistry - this is something we've seen a little before)
section 3.6 (you have already read this for Lesson 9!)
section 3.9 (further reading about catalysis)
Preparation for Practical Sessions (12th and 19th of August)
Before each practical lab session, please be sure to read up on the practical in advance. You can prepare well by reading through the worksheet and doing some of your own research on the background for each task. Please post useful websites up on the Discussions Board! This will surely help others to find out more too, and may even help get you some extra participation marks!
You should also attempt to prepare a simple flowchart of the procedure you have to do during the lab session. This will help you as you proceed in your lab work.
In summary: 1. Read, 2. Post, 3. Chart!
Here are the two lab worksheets (Note: You DO NOT need to print them as this will be done for you):
Lesson 1 (on 1st April 2010)
Content:Electron dot-cross diagrams
Introduction to quantum mechanical model of atomic structure
Handouts:
Preparation for Lesson 2 - for 8th of April 2010
Before delving into the plethora of functional groups and reactions that define organic chemistry, it is important to have a good grasp of the basics.For starters, a solid understanding of some basic bonding concepts is fundamental:
Find out more about electronic configuration and orbital shapes by viewing the following videos:
A very good explanation on orbitals and covalent bonding can be found in the following link.
(Some more advanced concepts are in the second half of the page too. These will be relevant for later, but no harm reading them if you wish!)
Basic Bonding Concepts in Organic Chemistry
The following video is also helpful for visualisation.
Preparation objectives and practice exercises are available here.
A somewhat basic video on drawing line-bond structures can be found here:
**Drawing line-bond structures**
(Note that you are not required to draw the dots on the lines like he does in the video. A simple line is the standard notation used.)
Lesson 2 (on 8th of April 2010)
Feel like you've mastered all you can from Lesson 2 Preparation objectives?Try looking for more information on the following topics:
For those still struggling with visualising molecular shapes, a very good website allows you to manipulate shapes in 3-D, starting from the basic shape. Check it out!
Molecular Geometry
Preview - for 15th April 2010
An insight into what's coming for Lesson 3 Preparation:You can suggest interesting links or articles on the Discussion page!
Preparation for Lesson 3
Many of the key reactions in organic chemistry take place because of a region of polarity in an organic molecule. It is therefore important to be able to recognise the presence of polar bonds in a molecule, and whether or not a molecule has an overall polarity.
Some good explanations on how to do that is available here: Molecular polarity and Polar Bonds and Molecular Polarity
In preparation for some more advanced topics to be covered in Lesson 3, it would be good to re-read the following page, especially focusing on the bottom part of the page, from the section on Bonding in Carbon onwards. Basic Bonding Concepts in Organic Chemistry
Lesson 3 Handouts:
Preparation for Lesson 4 (22nd April 2010)
Completely mastered the above content? Seen it all before and want to zzZZ!?You may wish to keep going with the next lesson on naming and drawing basic organic molecules:
Hydrocarbon Nomenclature and Representation
Naming Functional Groups in Organic Chemistry
If you have a copy of the textbook, you can read chapter 2, focussing especially on pages 38 to 58.
Do also try the corresponding problems in the textbook.
Lesson 4 Handouts:
Preparation for Lesson 5 (29th April 2010)
Continue reading Chapter 2 in the textbook, on the following topics:Can you answer the following questions?
Do remember to contribute to the Organic Chemistry Discussion page!
Handouts:
Preparation for Lesson 6 (6th May 2010)
For Lesson 6, revise everything you have learned so far. Read through the relevant sections of chapter 1 of the textbook (on Atomic Structure, Electronic Configuration, Covalent Bonding, Hybridization, Polarity and Electronegativity), and chapter 2 (Alkanes - Nomenclature, Cis-Trans Isomerism, Cycloalkanes, Newman Projections).Handouts:
Lesson 7
Lesson 7 was a catch-up lesson for those who missed out on Lesson 6.
An in-class assignment was given out, to be handed up before the end of the term (for those who did not manage to complete it in class). The assignment is available here:
Also given out was the Chemistry Olympiad Holiday Assignment, due first thing on the 8th of July 2010.
You are reminded that this assignment should be presented neatly, and not as scribbles in the corner of the question paper! (;
Preparation for Lesson 8 (15th of July)
The quizzes will resume in the next lesson. The quiz for Lesson 8 will be on what you have learnt from your self-reading of the chapter 6 sections assigned to you in your Holiday assignment (i.e. 6.1; 6.2; 6.3; and 6.5). You should try out the problems in those sections to be make sure you understand the content!
Another useful link can be found at the following page: Stereochemistry
Preparation for Lesson 9 (29th of July)
Lesson 9 will cover content from Chapter 5 and Chapter 3 in your textbook.
Specific reading task:
- Chap 5: section 5, 5.1 and 5.2 (pp 155 - 159)
- Chap 3: section 3.6 only (pp 91 - 95)
- Chap 5: section 5.3 (pp 159 - 162)
Questions you should be able to answer after reading:The quiz and exercises for Lesson 9 have been posted on the Problem Answers page!
Preparation for Lesson 10 (5th of August)
Please read the relevant portions of Chapter 3 and attempt the in-text worked examples before the lesson!
In Lesson 10, we will be looking at Chapter 3 of the Textbook. (Compulsory)
- Cis and Trans isomerism in alkenes (section 3.3)
- Naming isomers of alkenes under the E/Z designation (section 3.4)
- Electrophilic addition reactions to alkenes (sections 3.7 and 3.8)
(Optional)You can also read the other sections for further understanding on the reactions of alkenes and organic reaction mechanisms in general:
Preparation for Practical Sessions (12th and 19th of August)
Before each practical lab session, please be sure to read up on the practical in advance. You can prepare well by reading through the worksheet and doing some of your own research on the background for each task.
Please post useful websites up on the Discussions Board! This will surely help others to find out more too, and may even help get you some extra participation marks!
You should also attempt to prepare a simple flowchart of the procedure you have to do during the lab session. This will help you as you proceed in your lab work.
In summary: 1. Read, 2. Post, 3. Chart!
Here are the two lab worksheets (Note: You DO NOT need to print them as this will be done for you):